Albion boxing coaches add judging

TRENTON — It has been a transforming time for the Albion Amateur Boxing Club.

Two of the club’s coaches — Walter Linthorne and Erin Simpson — have become Boxing Nova Scotia’s newest officials by judging bouts recently, and their next step would be to start refereeing bouts.

“I like it — it’s different,” said Linthorne, who has been with the club for 26 years as a boxer and coach.

Simpson has also been coaching at the club after retiring from boxing and says she’s enjoying her new role as a BNS official.

“I love it,” she said. “I was nervous at first but now that I’ve had a few fights under my feet, it feels good to be involved in the sport this way.”

Worthen said the club is well positioned for the future with Linthorne and Simpson as integral parts of it.

“They’re the future,” he said. “We think it’s so cool that they’ve become BNS officials.

It has been a busy time for Albion boxers and it will get a lot busier in the weeks and months ahead.

Two Albion boxers won their bouts on a card on February 17 hosted by Ring 73 Amateur Boxing Club in Glace Bay.

Ethan Pratt defeated Michael Keeping from Membertou by technical knockout in the third round, while Tiver Stewart won a split decision against Ryan Guay from St. John’s N.L.

Albion boxers are preparing for two cards on March 17 and 24 in Halifax.

Meanwhile Matthew Fraser is among Nova Scotian boxers competing at the 2018 national championships taking place from March 28 to April 4 in Edmonton.

Fraser is a likely boxer on the main event of a spring card Albion club is hosting on May 12 in New Glasgow to help the club mark its 30th anniversary.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Worthen said.

Simpson spent some time last week sparring with Shauna Fukes, another possible boxer on the May card,.

Another Albion boxer, Norma Marshall, has ended her brief comeback to concentrate on her business career.

Albion Amateur Boxing Club president Jim Worthen stands with club coaches Walter Linthorne, left, and Erin Simpson who have become Boxing Nova Scotia officials and have judged bouts on several recent cards. (Submitted photo)